Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar called for a full-blown investigation into the case of a cop accused of raping a female motorcycle rider whom law enforcers accosted at a checkpoint in Pampanga.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 12, Eleazar order the probe after receiving a report that Police Staff Sergeant Robin Mangaga sexually abused a female motorcycle rider who was apprehended for driving without a license in Mabalacat town. 

Based on the initial report, Mangaga flagged the motorbike being driven by the victim on Friday, October 8. The victim said she forgot her driver’s license. She said in her complaint that instead of imposing sanctions, the cop allegedly raped her. 

The victim’s motorcycle was only released after the alleged sexual assault, according to the report.

The victim then sought help from her co-workers and filed complaints against Mangaga.  

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According to Eleazar, the accused cop was already disarmed and being held under restrictive custody. The police chief added that he already instructed the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), the unit handling complaints filed against cops, to expedite the investigation into the alleged sexual abuse by Mangaga. 

“Inatasan ko na ang IAS na pabilisin ang pag-iimbestiga sa kasong ito at intaasan ko na rin ang Regional Director, Police Regional Office 3 na bigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon ang nagrereklamo at ang kanyang pamilya, kasabay ang paglalagay sa involved na pulis under restrictive custody,” Eleazar said. 

(I already instructed the IAS to expedite the conduct of investigation into this case and the Central Luzon police chief to provide protection for the victim and her family.)

Eleazar added that if Mangaga is found guilty, he could be dismissed from police service. 

“Kapag napatunayan na ginawa nga ni Police Staff Sergeant Robin Manganga ang kahalayang ito, tinitiyak ko na matatanggal siya sa serbisyo bukod sa kasong kriminal na kanyang haharapin,” the PNP chief said. 

(If ever Police Staff Sergeant Robin Mangaga is proven guilty, I assure you that he would be dismissed from service, aside from criminal complaints against him.)

Mangaga’s case was the most recent reported rape incident involving a member of the PNP.

In August, the PNP reported that Patrolman Elmer Tuazon Jr. and civilian Armando Dimaculangan raped a quarantine violator in Mariveles, Bataan. 

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